Though most of my blog posts don’t trumpet my femininity to the heavens, I definitely am a girl–and so, I figured I’d indulge myself in naming some of my all-time favorite beauty products, partially inspired by Jenny’s post about her drugstore beauty haul. (By the way, this post is not sponsored by any company!)
See what products have pleased this incredibly picky girl, below!
Face Products
With my fair, sensitive yet oily skin, and my desire for a simple makeup routine, I focus more on better skincare and a couple of enhancing makeup products rather than caking on skin-colored makeup. I’ve used St. Ives scrub weekly for years, and Nivea Soft moisturizer is an excellent follow-up to it. (Other than these two products, however, I only use water on my face during the rest of the week–my face breaks out and gets angrily dry if I try to wash it too often.)
The Lipstick Queen lipsticks are the best-pigmented, least-sticky lipsticks I’ve ever used, period (Medieval, especially). I love Medieval’s soft red color–it’s red without being crazily dramatic, while Jean Queen is the perfect pinky-nude color. Plus, Vaseline’s Cocoa Butter Lip Therapy helps my peeling lips (possibly caused by a vitamin B deficiency) during the night. Combine the two and I have radiant, soft, boyfriend-approved lips ALL DAY. Meanwhile, CoverGirl’s Instant Cheekbones blush gives my face a soft lift without looking too made-up, and Urban Decay’s lovely range of metallic eyeshadows lend a pretty highlight to the lids of my deep-set eyes.
Hair Products
 Pantene Damage Detox Weekly Deep Cleanse |
 Pantene Classic Care 2 in 1 |
 Dove Intensive Repair Shampoo |
 Dove Intensive Repair Conditioner |
My straight, medium-fine hair and my oily scalp actually combine to give me easy-care hair. I can pretty much wash, comb, and wear in the summer, and wash, comb, dry and wear in the winter (which is all the styling I care to do, LOL). Thus, my hair beauty routine is focused around great shampoos and conditioners rather than “styling” products.
Pantene’s Weekly Deep Cleanse is just about as great as their discontinued Clarifying Shampoo (which I loved <3), and I use it as my first shampoo in the shower to degrease and prepare my hair. Depending on the time I have to get ready, I can then either reach for my 2-in-1 shampoo or my Dove Intensive Repair Shampoo and Conditioner. Both have wonderful light fragrances and leave my hair looking and feeling like silk, which both my boyfriend and I love.
Body Products
 Dove Original Beauty Bar |
 Venezia Soapworks Rose Soap |
 Venus Original Razor |
 Venus Breeze Razor With Shave Gel |
Since I’m phasing out shower gels and body washes in favor of cheaper moisturizing bar soaps, I’ve listed my two favorite bar soaps here. Dove’s original white soap has been a go-to product since my childhood, and Venezia Soapworks’ rose soap is a new favorite with the potential for the richest lather I’ve ever seen a bar soap make. As a time-saver, I use my Venus Breeze razor in the shower–I don’t have to buy separate shave cream, AND it’s one fewer thing I have to carry when traveling. My original Venus razor serves alongside a simple bottle of conditioner for longer shave sessions or for touch-ups.
Summary
My pared-down beauty routine may look too simple to some, but these are the products I have personally tested and found to be AMAZING. I have no brand loyalties, and like I said at the beginning of the post, nobody’s paying me to say any of this–I just love these products!
